Dine Like Royalty With a Fresh Seafood Feast

November 24, 2013

Story By: Yu Shing Ting |

Laarni Endozo recently visited Lobster King for a birthday celebration and says everything they ordered from the party menu was so delicious that they’ll definitely be returning to the Chinese seafood restaurant.

“The Sweet and Sour Fish, Peking Duck and the Lobster are must-haves,” she says, noting it was the 17th birthday for someone by the name of Genalyn.

Conveniently located at the corner of South King and Keeaumoku streets, Lobster King serves up an extensive menu of traditional Cantonese-style Chinese cuisine, as well as some Korean favorites. Known for its fresh seafood, tasty recipes, generous portions and affordable prices, the locally-owned restaurant has become a popular spot for lunch, dinner and late-night meals. It’s also a great place for special occasions and holiday parties with discounted set menus, lots of free parking and, of course, great tasting food.

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There are three party menus available, starting at $188 for dried scallop soup; a barbecue platter of chicken, duck and char siu; whole peking duck with buns; deep fried garlic crispy chicken, stir-fried seafood, three live lobsters with ginger and green onion, stir-fried fish fillet with five strings (julienned vegetables), fried rice and dessert. Each party menu serves 10 to 12 people and is valued at almost 20 percent off regular menu prices. There also is a full-bar, however, through the end of December customers who order from the party menu can bring their own wine and enjoy no corkage fee.

“Since we opened three years ago, we’ve been really successful because our seafood is fresh,” says owner June Kim, who also opened Cajun King in Waimalu Shopping Center in Aiea three months ago.

Lobster King is a wonderful place to gather friends and family for any special occasion or holiday party.

Jajangmyeon ($10.95)

Lobster ($14.95 per pound)

“We also are a wholesaler, so it’s not only fresh, but we also can offer it at a better price. Everybody comes here to eat our live lobster.”

The lobster is only $14.95 per pound and can be prepared in a variety of ways — with butter garlic, black bean sauce, ginger and green onion, salt and pepper, XO sauce or steamed. Or with the purchase of one entree, customers can order a lobster (approximately 1.25 pounds) for just $11.99.

Kim credits business partner Jay Chen for the restaurant’s flavorful recipes, as well as the seafood buying. There also is a small selection of traditional Korean noodle dishes, including its signature Korean-style black noodle with seafood, or jajangmyeon ($10.95).

“People know the dish from Korean TV dramas, and they were asking for it,” says Kim. “So, we decided to serve it and everybody loves it. It’s a traditional dish in Korea made with stir-fried seafood and vegetables with black bean sauce and noodles.”

The restaurant can seat about 150 people, and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. There also are happy hour specials ($2 domestic beer, $4 imported beer) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. And Dining Out readers can enjoy 10 percent off their order (excludes party menu, look for coupon on page 12).